Since it was founded in 2012 by businessman Yitzhak Wolf, Midbar Winery has been one of the most characterful and distinctive players in the Israeli wine industry. The winery itself is located in Arad. Its vineyards are in Mitzpe Ramon, at an altitude of 800 meters. The combination of climate conditions—extreme dryness, intense daytime heat, and nighttime cold—the type of soil, and a winemaking approach that embraces minimal intervention, yields wines that are worthy and unique.
Midbar offers light, fresh reds that are unpretentious and fun, and whites that are often fascinating. They almost always feature good fruit—not excessive—proper dryness, and meaningful mineral notes.
In the current tasting: Six wines—one light and fun red (Pinot Noir), a dry and good rosé (also Pinot Noir-based), one orange wine made from Viognier, and three whites: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and a Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc blend. Except for the Chardonnay, which in my opinion leans toward excessive accessibility, the other wines are restrained, possess a degree of complexity and character, and are suited for experienced drinkers even if they don't lean into too much funkiness. All of them, even the red, are wonderful for the height of summer. In addition to wine shops, they can also be purchased directly from the winery’s website. Cheers!
Midbar, Rosé Pinot Noir 2024
A dry rosé based 100% on Pinot Noir from Ramon Vineyard in Mitzpe Ramon. Early harvest. Pressing of whole clusters and whole berries, short skin contact in stainless steel tanks. Only free-run juice used. Salmon pink color. On the nose: Floral, citrusy, and a bit of red fruit. Light to medium body. 12% alcohol by volume.
How much? NIS 100.
Best suited for: Sandwiches, picnics, salads, pizza.
Critic's note: Fun fruit, present but not overwhelming or abundant. Balanced acidity. Lightness, freshness, and dryness. A very worthy summer wine that can be sipped with food but also just with fruit or cheese, in the afternoon or early evening.
Value for money: 3/5 (not bad).
Midbar, Orange Viognier 2024
How much? NIS 100.
Best suited for: Crudo, plancha calamari, pork-based dishes.
Critic's note: Complex, fruit is present but not overpowering, spices also on the palate, sharp acidity, minerality. An orange wine that’s not funky, accessible on one hand, complex and non-banal on the other.
Value for money: 4/5 (very good).
Midbar, Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc 2024
How much? NIS 110.
Best suited for: Crudo, fish, and seafood.
Critic's note: Lightness, freshness, a pleasant synergy between the varietal characteristics, a highly present and charming aromatic and acidic profile.
Value for money: 3.5/5 (good).
Midbar, Chardonnay 2023
How much? NIS 110.
Best suited for: Fish, seafood, chicken.
Critic's note: A Chardonnay where the fruity profile takes the lead. The fruit is rich and soft, but even after aeration, the acidity does not develop into a sufficient balancing element. The result is a Chardonnay that is indeed respectable but belongs more to the accessible genre than to the complex one suited to experienced drinkers. Therefore, it lacks the dimension of uniqueness and character that characterizes almost all of Midbar Winery's wines.
Value for money: 2.5/5 (realistic).
Midbar, Pinot Noir 2023
How much? NIS 110.
Best suited for: Roast beef, minute steak, grilled meat.
Critic's note: Don’t think of Burgundy Pinot Noir, because this wine, despite being from that variety, is far from it. Unlike those wines, which come from a cold climate, this one represents adaptation to the desert climate. It has real lightness, freshness, and joy. The oak use is very restrained and adds a subtle dimension. The fruit is fun but not overwhelming, making it exceptionally suited for summer sipping in Israel, even when it's really hot.
Value for money: 3.5/5 (good).
Midbar, Sauvignon Blanc 2024
How much? NIS 110.
Best suited for: Fish, shellfish.
Critic's note: Light, airy, with pleasant fruit and delicate but significant acidity. Subtle hints of minerality and a high gastronomic index. An excellent wine.
Value for money: 4/5 (very good).